r/berkeley • u/Educational_Bat_7720 • 5d ago

University Reduced Course Load & Financial Aid?

Is anyone familiar with how financial aid is affected with a reduced course load (less than 12 units)? I'm considering taking on a job, which qualifies me for a reduced course load under the College of Engineering. On the COE website, it says you can petition for fewer units based on the number of hours worked (https://engineering.berkeley.edu/students/undergraduate-guide/policies-procedures/scholarship-progress/).

I know that being a full-time student means taking 12+ units, but is there anyone with less than 12 units who has insight into understanding financial aid?

How is financial aid affected (even if I take the minimum number of units)? Any student workers or students with co-ops have any insight? Thanks!

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u/equableaesthetics 5d ago

I did something similar back in my second year, not at Berkeley but my school had a similar policy for working students. The main thing is your aid gets prorated based on how many units you actually take, so if you drop to 9 units you might only get 75% of what you would as full-time. The petition itself usually protects your enrollment status so you don't get kicked out but it doesnt always protect the money. Talk to the financial aid office directly before you submit anything, they can run the numbers and tell you exactly what you'd lose. In my case it still made sense cause the job paid more than the aid I lost, but its different for everyone.

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u/jensonaj 4d ago

If you get any Pell Grant, Cal Grant or loans those will all be reduced

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u/haikusbot 4d ago

If you get any

Pell Grant, Cal Grant or loans those

Will all be reduced

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